Sivas is a historic city in Central Anatolia, Turkey, renowned for its magnificent Seljuk-era architecture and its pivotal role in Turkish national history. Home to the Sivas Congress of 1919 — a critical event in the founding of the Turkish Republic — the city preserves some of the finest medieval Islamic monuments in Anatolia. The Buruciye, Çifte Minareli, Gök, and Şifaiye madrasas cluster in the city centre, while Divriği's UNESCO-listed Great Mosque lies within the province. At 1,285 metres elevation on the Central Anatolian plateau, Sivas offers an authentic, crowd-free alternative to Turkey's tourist-heavy western cities.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Sivas is a conservative, deeply religious city — dress modestly throughout; shorts and sleeveless tops are inappropriate near mosques or in markets
Remove shoes before entering mosques (leave them at the door rack) and speak quietly inside
The call to prayer (ezan) sounds five times daily; avoid talking loudly over it or making jokes about it
Tea (çay) hospitality is central — if offered tea in a shop, it is polite to accept; refusing is not offensive but accepting builds goodwill
Bargaining is expected in the covered bazaar for non-food items; offer 60–70% of asking price and negotiate to around 80%
Photographing mosques and historic sites is generally fine, but ask permission before photographing local people — especially women
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Dress modestly throughout the city — especially at religious sites
- Accept tea when offered — it is a genuine gesture of hospitality
- Learn a few Turkish phrases: locals appreciate any attempt, however small
- Greet shopkeepers with 'Merhaba' (Hello) before browsing
- Carry small-denomination banknotes — cash is king in Sivas markets
Don't
- Don't take photographs inside mosques during prayer times
- Don't eat, drink, or smoke in the street during Ramadan daylight hours, especially near mosques
- Don't make negative remarks about Atatürk — disrespect for his memory is socially unacceptable and legally sensitive
- Don't bargain aggressively or become confrontational over prices — patience and good humour are always more effective
- Don't confuse the 1993 Sivas massacre with current local sentiment; the city has a complex, sensitive history — engage with it respectfully if at all
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Merhaba
Hello
Mehr-ha-ba
Teşekkür ederim
Thank you
Teh-shek-kur eh-deh-rim
Lütfen
Please
Lut-fen
Evet / Hayır
Yes / No
Eh-vet / Hah-yir
Ne kadar?
How much?
Neh kah-dar
Çok güzel
Very beautiful
Chok goo-zel
Yardım edebilir misiniz?
Can you help me?
Yar-dim eh-deh-bi-lir mi-si-niz
Tuvalet nerede?
Where is the toilet?
Too-va-let neh-reh-deh
Fatura lütfen
The bill please
Fa-too-ra lut-fen
Afiyet olsun
Enjoy your meal
Ah-fee-yet ol-sun
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Sivas.
Items:
- Faith
- Islam (Sunni)
- Percentage
- ~98%
- Notes
- Sivas is a deeply observant Sunni Muslim city. Friday afternoon prayers (13:00–14:00) see significant pedestrian traffic around mosques. During Ramadan, many local restaurants close during daylight hours; tourist-oriented places remain open.
- Faith
- Alevi tradition
- Percentage
- Significant minority
- Notes
- Sivas has a historically significant Alevi community. The 1993 Sivas massacre occurred during an Alevi cultural festival. The Cemevi (Alevi prayer house) on the outskirts of the city is a place of worship, not generally open to tourist visits.